What's the New Player Clinic?
The New Player Clinic provides the basics of playing roller hockey, teaching some of the skills that will be used during the season. It also gives players with no experience in hockey a taste of what it's like to dress in full gear, work on hockey drills and scrimmage. Generally three days in length (2 hours daily), the clinic is the introduction to the league. At the end of the clinic, players will get the opportunity to sign up for the coming league.
 
Registration: You can register for the new league right now. Registration volunteers during NPC can answer your questions about cost and help register your player.
 
What are evaluations? At the end of the clinic, all new players and returning players who have missed one or more seasons will go through evaluations (all players are evaluated in the fall). This allows the coaches to determine the players' skill level and decide on division placement (Squirt, Peewee, Bantam or Midget). Each player will receive a number to be pinned to their backs and will be instructed on a series of skills or plays to perform. They will be rated on their capabilities. Those ratings will be used by coaches in the draft. Everyone who signs up for league will be placed on a team. Check out the website calendar for date and time of the evaluations.
 
What's next? After the evaluations, the coaches from each division will get together and form their teams in a balanced manner. Having fun, rather than winning, is the goal of teams in the hockey league. Within a week after the draft, each player will receive a call from their coach, announcing their first practice. Make sure to get the team name, as well as coach's name and phone number. Jerseys are distributed at the first practice. The jerseys must be returned by the end of the season or players incur a $25 charge.
 
Practices/games: Plan to be at the rink at least 30 minutes before a practice or game to give the player plenty of time to dress. Hockey gear isn't easy to slip on/slip off. During league, there is no additional gear or jerseys to be borrowed, so make sure players' bring everything. Players must wear all gear, including mouth guards and cups, for games and practices. Failure to have all equipment during games can result in a penalty. Make sure to provide the player water. 
 
Generally players will get one game and one practice a week. Older division teams (Midgets) practice less. Practices are about 45 minutes long; games are two 22-minute periods or equivalent. Games are on Mondays and Thursdays. Practices can be on other days. Generally the season runs into mid December and early May. At the end of the season, playoffs begin, with each team facing double elimination - that is two losses before elimination.
 
Schedules: Within the first couple of weeks of the league, schedules of games and practices will be posted on website; www.nvhsc.org  as well as gear for sale, upcoming events, and playoff schedules. If you have a question, check the website. If the information is not there, call your coach or the hockey office 826-3510. NOTE: the hockey office isn't staffed, but a volunteer checks the voicemail weekly. Emails to the league president and board can be sent from the website and are generally quickly answered.
 
Missing practices and games: Please advise the coach of these absences by phone in advance (not on the day of the practice/game).
 
Volunteers: During the course of the season, there are several openings for volunteers, from washing jerseys to calling players to helping with major events such as the annual BBQ. If you can help, we'd love to hear from you. Call the hockey office, 826-3510.
 
Other info: STATS: Once the league starts, weekly player stats are posted in the "hockey window" by the skate rental department and on the website. GAME RESULTS are published in the Enterprise-Record's sports section. Generally the information is out on Sundays, but not always.
 
Who we are: North Valley Hockey and Sports Complex is a nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization formed to operate the youth roller hockey league at Cal Skate or our own rink in Hamilton City. Financial and gear donations can be made to the league (and are fully appreciated and may be tax deductible). A volunteer board of directors operates the league and nonprofit organization.